CUISINE

FEATURES

PRICE

MORE LIKE THIS

Russell Street isn't shy of neon-hued, small eateries boasting soups, noodles and dumplings – and those with all three on the menu – but Shujinko is easily one of its best. Known about the traps as "that 24-hour ramen place", Shujinko is a goldmine of Tokyo-style ramen, dishing up steaming bowls to those wanting a quick meal – which is, seemingly, a lot of Melbourne. Surely at one point or another you've either squeezed past the long queue always lined up resolutely outside the place, or joined on the end of it. At Melbourne Film Fest time, you can barely get in at all without setting up camp for half an hour or more: the place is popular at any time, it seems - day or not - with those wanting a hot bowl of goodness for under $15.

The wait in the cold is warranted, because the ramen will have you crying chargrilled pork-flavoured tears of joy: the bowl is big, the pork belly smoky, the broth thick and your stomach happy. There's a variety of ramen available, as well as other Japanese favourites like gyoza, takoyaki and karaage, but there's no beating the traditional Shujinko Ramen ($13.80). Drinks-wise, you're looking at Japanese beers (Kirin, Asahi) or sake, washing down that bowl of warming pork broth with another nod to Tokyo. Take a scarf and prepare to wait it out – there's no going back to packet noodle soup after this.